Thread: 15 Interviews lost faith in humanity

Originally Posted by gorrilla

Had an interview once that this reminds me of. Manager doing the interview tossed a notepad at me, said for me to write down how I would express one thousandth of an inch. So I wrote down .001", and handed it back to him. He said fine, when can you start(this was the last of a long string of questions), and I asked him "How many do you get that miss that last question?" He said "You don't want to know." Now, years later, I'm the one sitting on the other side of the desk, and DAMN, it's gotten worse! I feel more like a school teacher than a shop manager sometimes.

I'm guessing it's the same in the USA as here but the focus with education seems to have changed over the last few decades. There are definately things that kids are taught now that didn't even exist when I was a kid but much of the need for an all round education seems to have disappeared.
I'm not saying kids nowadays are more stupid than when I was a kid but they know different things. I find the biggest problem with knowing about the here and now is that, with the speed things are going, it's obsolete in a year.

How are technical schools and colleges coping in the USA as here they don't seem to be teaching basic principles as thoroughly as they used to do?

It could also just be me showing my age again LOL

My internet modem broke down Monday morning but I had a new one in 24 hours. Talk about being dependent on that stuff!!!!! I've been in a supermarket a couple of times (abroad ) when the electricity went - everything stops abruptly
I'd hate to be without a pocket calculator but I can still use pencil and paper and a few grey cells if need be.

Originally Posted by Cornilsn

What did you major in?

My mech engineering professors, for the most part, were quite full of common sense. for example, one was a earth mover repair technician before he worked his way to the engineering side of the company, then he got his PHd in engineering while doing that, and became a professor. You sound like the kind of guy who justifies not sticking it out through college by saying "well, the guys wtih degrees don't have common sense, so I'm still better."

I have been a college prof for over 20 years (business, not machining). You are so correct!! Up here, at least 10 years of industrial experience is needed before a college will even consider someone for an interview as a prof., regardless of your paper qualifications. For professional development, my college has "work leaves". One of my colleagues who teaches health and safety worked for the local Bombardier plant for a year as their Health and Safety Officer, paid full salary by the college. He returned to teach with a renewed vigor, and lots of good stories for the students.